Firstly, it is so difficult to get this book. I have spent a great portion of my time loitering in various bookstores, airport bookstores and international bookstores and I still couldn’t find this book for nearly four months. It is either sold out or not there. So, if you ever find this book, buy it, considering the struggle for the rest of us. It was not until my birthday that a kind soul gifted me his book this September, so I am just reading it.
Naturally when I was presented with this book I was on top of the world. But I would say this book was worth the wait. I have been watching Connor Franta grow on Youtube for quite a while now. Personally, I am a huge Fangirl, hence when I realised that he was publishing a book (more precisely a memoir) I was on cloud nine. I was extremely excited for his book, because I already knew him as a person or whatever part of himself he shares with us on Youtube, but now I could know more about him, beyond his camera via his book. Honestly, I wanted this book to know more about him but after reading this book I stumbled across some wisdom for young adults, which is worth giving time to.
At first it was funny for me that a 22 year old was writing a memoir; my first impression was that people normally write a memoir after years of experience, when they want to contribute something to this world. However, Franta was only 22, what lessons could he possibly give? But his journey to the top was not easy, his life was filled with struggles. Not just any struggles; internal conflict, the inability to accept himself. As easy as it sounds, he explained that it’s possibly the hardest thing in life. If you cannot accept and be happy with who you are then you cannot expect others to do that too. You cannot be happy. And that is unacceptable; all human beings have equal rights to live a happy and just life. But was he able to find his happiness?
This book is filled with pages where all you want to do is roll on the floor laughing and some where you want to curl up in a ball and cry like there is no tomorrow. Either way Connor Franta had me captivated throughout his book. It was really difficult for me to put his book down. His book was not only beautifully written but also presented very well. He had a lot of pictures in almost all the parts of the book. All his pictures were interesting and since he took the pictures himself, it really makes me question his creativity. His pictures were the cherry on top of the cake, with or without, it would still be a marvellous piece of art. This book is worth a read whether you are 13 or 30, it has a lot of truth and inspires you to be you. To do what you do. To accept you. Or just for a good laugh.
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Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop
